Conceal
Torn book pages, poker excitement, and audit liabilities all share this verb: hiding something on purpose and hoping nobody checks.
Learn This WordMeaning
To hide something deliberately.
Memory trick
CON-CEAL: seal (ceal) something completely shut, on purpose.
Examples
Fog concealed the hills.
The shopkeeper concealed the torn pages by wrapping the book extra tight.
Good poker players conceal excitement better than they conceal disappointment.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin concelare "to hide completely," from com- "fully" + celare "to hide." Concealment is hiding with intent.
Usage Notes
Deliberate hiding: evidence, feelings, flaws get concealed. Mysteries and thrillers run on concealed motives.
Real-life contexts
Use in stories: "He concealed the letter for ten years."
Use in reports: "The audit found concealed liabilities."
Use in advice: "Do not conceal symptoms from your doctor."
Common Mistakes
Conceal implies intent; for accidental hiding use obscure or cover. "Conceal from," not "conceal to": she concealed it from her parents.
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Part of Speech
verb
Difficulty
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